NBA.com slides Portland down one spot from 6 to 7. But it's the email from Rebekkah in Beaverton that makes the real noise:

You can breathe a big sigh of relief. The Blazers lost in double overtime against Toronto. That's a good thing for you cuz now you can justify dinging them down to 10th or 11th or something. But you're not the only one who gives the Blazers no credit. They got no All-Stars unless a coach votes for one. Charles Barkface thinks the Blazers won't even make the playoffs. Our player Travis Outlaw is called Bo or Charles - or they will use Bo's picture for Travis Outlaw - they even did that in the promo before the Toronto game. And I am sure when the Blazers play on this road trip they might think Portland is in Maine.

Make sure to downgrade the Blazers down several notches. They are so so so so so overrated. They stink. When someone goes 17-2 in a 19-game stretch that's horrible. But this is what I think. I think the Blazers can play with anybody. I think they can beat anybody. Anybody. That means Boston, Detroit, LA Lakers, San Antonio, Phoenix - anybody. And recall that before the streak they also beat Dallas and Detroit. But in the meantime - keep on dissing them. Heck - it might give us more encouragement.

How will these kids hold up on the road after their remarkable 17-1 run? Take your curiosity one step further now, as in: How will they respond to a double-OT loss in Toronto in the opener of that seven-game trip?

Brandon Roy says he understands if he doesn't make the All-Star team. But if his team keeps going like it has been of late (17 victories in its last 19 games), he won't have to worry. Even in the crowded West backcourt, the coaches will find room for the second-year standout.

Prior to yesterday's game, USA Today dropped the Blazers one spot, despite the win over Golden State, to No. 6:

Blazers had just one game this week, a home win against Golden State. They've now won 17 of their last 18, including 12 in a row at home.

Mark Heisler, who covers the NBA for the LA Times, put the Blazers at No. 7 (up from 9) yesterday:

Let's see what the kids have: 10 of 16 on road from now to All-Star break.

The Blazers may have lost in Toronto but they wouldn't stop coming. Travis Outlaw with a four-point play to force OT. Brandon Roy with a three to get it to double-OT. Once they figure out how to get wins on the road - the Northwest Division is theirs for the taking.